Intersil's ISL29015 light sensor/proximity sensor uses up to five times less board space and six times less current.

The device comes in a tiny, clear 2mm x 2.1mm package and consumes only 50 microamps while providing ambient light sensing and proximity sensing via infrared light.

Featuring the capability to sense ambient light as well as perform infrared sensing, the ISL29015 allows backlight and display brightness control while also enabling the applied design to use proximity estimates. The device is able to operate under harsh lighting conditions, such as under direct sunlight, or behind dark glass.

The high integration and ultra-small size (2mm x 2.1mm) of the ISL29015 means that designers can reduce the required footprint of a proximity sensing system by a factor of five times versus current discrete systems. In addition, the ODFN packaging of the ISL29015 is fully transparent, allowing for accurate, uncontaminated reading of ambient light.

The light sensor is also power-conscious. When sensing ambient light for brightness control and infrared for proximity, the device typically requires a supply current of only 50 microamps. This is up to six times less supply current than needed by other light sensing systems.

The ISL29015 is the first in a series of Intersil products that will include both an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor. The device is available in samples with an evaluation kit. More information: http://www.intersil.com/display/